2.16.2013

Vintage Ethan Allen in the Breakfast Room

This has been one wet and gray winter. We get a couple days of sun and then bam it is cloudy again. I have been inside painting this and that since I didn't want to go out, but I had not been to the antique mall since early December. That is way too looooooooong. I was going into withdrawals. I really am supposed to be saving as much money as possible for my trip to France in September, but I had to go. I wasn't expecting to really find anything and was almost through looking when........

......there they were. This perfect pair of sconces for my breakfast room. I figured I would find something when I am in France, but I knew these were perfect. They were in a booth that I generally never find anything in.

I looked at the tag hoping they weren't too expensive. Price was good and the tag said they were vintage Ethan Allen. There is a stamp inside that says made in USA for Ethan Allen.

I think the bushel of wheat is perfect for my French country kitchen.

This is how the wall looked before.

And after.

Now, should I put candles in them or leave them plain?
Oh, and I could paint them or leave them in the brass finish.

55 comments:

I vote definitely for candles. Glad you are going to France. We go every year for a few weeks and just can't get enough of it. We bicycled from the top to the bottom two years ago, and last year cycled around for two weeks, and then I stayed on a week by myself. My favorite way to enjoy the country now is solo. My husband gets bored with the museums, etc. I have been going off and on since we were married 40 years ago and spent our first new years together in Paris.

They are exquisite Kim. I wanted to go out today ... but the Mr and I stayed in and had a quite lazy morning . Company came by for a nice coffee and cake at 11, and more at 3. Broke up the day nicely. Now we are snuggling in getting colder out for a nice quiet night in. To paint or not to paint?? That is a hard one. They look so beautiful in their original classic brass. Live with them a bit?? Have a wonderful rest of weekend. Hugs, Gee

They are lovely and finish off that spot so nicely. Good brass is popular again, but I guess you will live with them a bit and then decide paint or no paint. Love that they are wheat sheafs -perfectly Provence and a good omen for always having a bountiful harvest. You will have a lovely time in France.

Kim,I like them the way they are they look good with that great picture. Painting would be good too.I would be torn on this one too. Painting them may make them pop a little more off the wall color. What ever you do they are a great addition.Kris

Beautiful find...and EA too, even better. I can picture them with short-ish chubby candles. Was out at several antique malls in Pasadena all day today...found nothing! Looking for blue and white pieces...nothing except $2,000 pieces...too expensive. I think your antique malls are way better than ours.

Wow-What a great find. They look like they might be 50's or 60's? I vote for candles but think the shorter chubby ones might look as good/or better than the tall tapers. It will be fun to see if you paint them. YOU? Paint something? Seriously????? xo Diana

HI Kimmie! OH, I love these and they do look perfect in your breakfast room. I know you love to paint things, but I don't think I'd paint these. I love how they look! Poke a candle in them!Be a sweetie,Shelia :)

Kim, a beautiful find. I would keep them brass and use the short chubby candles off and on. The Root Candle Co. makes lovely ones. I read the itinerary of your trip to France. What a shopping paradise.

These sconces are beautiful....everybody is going to France this year..are you going to PAris or other parts of the country as well...Linda from A La Carte will be there in September also maybe you will run into her....and it's a great month to go...I learned that by going in December..,the worst month to go..LOL

Hi Kim ~ beautiful sconces. The color they are now looks really nice with your painting. I would put candles in them that have already been partially burnt down and melted some rather than brand new looking candles. I know they will look gorgeous whatever you do!!

Such a cool find! Love them in their current brass finish. These are so pretty with or without candles, but if you do use candles, how about ivory beeswax honeycomb tapers? I've seen them quite a bit in France.

Kim they are so unusual; being in Australia I have never come across anything quite like that, and I am always looking! and I think for special occasions gold candles would look amazing. I think because they are "wheat" themed, the gold/brass look suits them. Aren't you lucky to find them?

well, by now, you've heard it all! I'm late to the party. I vote to paint the sconces and the picture frame, since you didn't ask!We've had wonderful weather recently. We could use some more rain, so we'll see how the rest of winter turns out. Good find!,Barbara

What a great find! I like them as they are, no paint and I think (since I am a candle nut) candles. That is my opinion for what its worth....but since everything you do looks great I will await your decision! Have a great week :)

This is the first time I've left a comment. I love your blog!! I'd leave the sconces as they are. The color matches your painting. I'd put white candles in the sconces because the dogs are white. Flameless candles might be an interesting choice as well.